WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Higher Education for Development (HED) announced today 40 paired winners of the Africa-U.S. Higher Education Initiative Planning Grant Competition. Nearly 300 applications were submitted for capacity-building partnerships between U.S. colleges and universities and higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan African nations. Paired winners will receive planning grants from USAID of $50,000 each.

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN-- A joint statement of collaboration was signed between the United States Government and the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Pakistan. The signing marked the announcement of the United States Agency for International Development's 3-year, $24 million Energy Efficiency and Capacity Building project, according to a U.S. Embassy announcement today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - MARCH 25, 2009 - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and EngenderHealth announced today that 10,000 women have received surgery for fistula with U.S. support since 2005. Fistula, a devastating vaginal injury affecting millions of women in developing countries, can be surgically repaired, but most of those with the condition lack access to a skilled surgeon or health center, making treatment out of reach.

The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is providing more than $3.7 million in assistance to lower rates of malnutrition and increase food security of families in Senegal. Of this $3.7 million, USAID is providing $2.7 million to improve community-based nutrition efforts and agriculture production in the regions of Ziguinchor, Sedhiou and Kolda in Senegal.

WASHINGTON, DC - Almost a century ago, America was locked in a battle against TB, which was one of the leading causes of death, killing thousands annually. Today, although a cure for drug-sensitive TB has existed for more than 50 years, TB remains second only to HIV among infectious killers worldwide. The majority of TB cases and deaths occur in developing countries among the poorest and most vulnerable groups, especially women and children. World Tuberculosis Day is highlighted every year on March 24 to call attention to the disease and to mobilize action to combat it.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ-The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Mada'in District Council, reopened Salman Pak Industrial School today. The school's mission is to improve Iraqis' skills that will enable them to find a better life through further employment and improved businesses in their communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - MARCH 24, 2009 - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved use of the FC2 Female Condom® (FC2) made by the Female Health Company (FHC). FC2 is a woman-initiated barrier method that helps protect against sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy. Its design and method of use is similar to its predecessor - FC1 - and studies have shown that FC2 performs in a comparable manner to FC1 in terms of safety, failure rates and acceptability.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Water Association (IWA) signed an agreement today at the Fifth World Water Forum to work together to increase access to clean drinking water and sanitation throughout the Middle East and Africa by strengthening water utilities and their regional associations. This partnership focuses specifically on access to clean drinking water and sanitation for the urban poor, water safety and quality management, leadership gaps and climate change.

USAID, HealthRight International, and Johnson & Johnson Formalize a Partnership to Prevent the Spread of HIV Among Street Children and At-Risk Youth in St. Petersburg, Russia

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A public-private partnership to prevent the spread of HIV and increase access to HIV treatment and care among street children and other vulnerable youth in St. Petersburg, Russia was announced by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), HealthRight International and Johnson & Johnson at the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation today.

BEIRUT, LEBANON -- The United States Agency for International Development has completed the cleanup of forty-three locations along a sixty kilometer stretch of the northern seashore from Tabarja to Enfeh. The devastation and subsequent clean-up followed the July 2006 conflict with Israel. Clean-up sites were selected in close coordination with the Lebanese Ministry of Environment. This program was part of a $230 million package provided to Lebanon from the U.S. to support humanitarian, reconstruction and security assistance following the conflict.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is launching a unique partnership to reduce illnesses and deaths caused by cervical and breast cancers in the country of Georgia. The program, called "Survive" includes numerous USAID partners, including the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, the JSI Research and Training Institute, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Georgian Pharmaceutical Company, International Women's Association, the Georgian insurance company IRAO, HSBC Bank, and BP Georgia.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tuesday, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted Congresswoman Betty McCollum from Minnesota and a distinguished panel of speakers in recognition of International Women's Day. The event, entitled "Women: A Driving Force for Economic Recovery" was an opportunity to recognize the important role that women around the world play as drivers of economic growth and recovery.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 10, 2009 - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Southern Africa launched a new program to reduce HIV vulnerability of farm workers in South Africa's Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will host U.S. Representative Betty McCollum from Minnesota and a distinguished panel of speakers to honor International Women's Day. The event will take place at the USAID headquarters in the Ronald Reagan Building on March 10.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ -The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Christopher D. Crowley and Future Agriculture Development Organization (FADO) Chairman Hyder Mohan participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to begin a program that will help invigorate Iraq's horticultural industry.

The planting and distribution of 50,000 high-yield grape vine and fruit tree-stock grown in California nurseries is part of USAID's Inma Agribusiness Program to assist farmers in their efforts to revitalize Iraq's once vibrant orchards and vineyards.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - MARCH 9, 2009 - Today, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Counselor Lisa Chiles administered the oath of office to William Hammink as the agency's new director in Sudan. Sudan is facing a critical time in its development, and the U.S. government is continuing its commitment to supporting the peace process and saving lives. The U.S. government is the largest donor to Sudan, and Hammink will manage USAID's program, which amounts to nearly a billion dollars a year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) announced February 20 the launched of a new initiative that will use OPIC's Enterprise Development Network (EDN) to provide technical assistance to small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa.

AMMAN, JORDAN - At a ceremony yesterday hosted by the U.S. Agency for International Development's Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham and Her Excellency Ms. Maha Khatib, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, USAID launched its new tourism initiative designed to support the tourism industry in Jordan and improve its competitiveness. Under the new initiative, USAID will provide support for three new projects over the next five years.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the past year, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Child Blindness Program assisted over one million people through eye health education, comprehensive vision screening, refractive error correction, sight-restoring surgery, and education for blind children.